spring group sale 2021 - st. luke union
TRANSCRIPT
Page 1 April 2021
SPRING GROUP SALE 2021:
Friday, April 30th—9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday, May 1st—9:00 am to Noon
After much discussion, the Church Council decided to resume our Spring Group Sale.
There are so many in our community, now more than ever, who need affordable items. The St. Luke Union Church group sale allows us to help the community by providing these items. The remaining items will be given to Habitat for Humanity Restore, Recycling Furniture for Families, Carle BroMenn Resale Boutique, and Goodwill Industries.
A meeting will soon be set to finalize how we will conduct the sale following current Covid 19 safety guide-lines.
Gather your items and bring them to the church Monday, April 26th and Tuesday, April 27th—8:00 am to 7:00 pm, and Wednesday, April 28th—8:00 am to Noon.
Bake sale items should be brought Thursday, April 29th between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm, or before 8:30 am on Friday, April 30th and Saturday, May 1st. Note: No cream/pumpkin pies, and we have found that cakes, cupcakes, and muffins do not sell well. Add the name of the goodies and if they contain nuts, peanut butter, etc.
If you would like to help, you can sign up to set up Sunday, April 25th, after worship service; Monday-Thursday set up; Friday and/or Saturday to staff the sale; and Saturday at 11:30 am to pack and clean up after the sale.
Page 2 New Directions
SCRIP SUNDAY:
Sunday, April 18th will be SCRIP Sunday. SCRIP is a no-selling fundraiser that allows the church to raise money to help support our youth for their Group Mission Trips. With SCRIP, you purchase gift cards from the SCRIP program at face value and the church receives a rebate.
JOKE:
A boy was watching his pastor writing a sermon
for the Easter service. ‘How do you know what to
say?’ the boy asked. ‘Why, God tells me,’ the pas-
tor replied. ‘Oh, then why do you keep crossing
things out?’
ATTENTION—ALL WOMEN OF ST. LUKE UNION CHURCH
Ready for a break from everything?
Want some time to fellowship with one another and talk without a computer screen? I have a deal for you!!
Women’s Retreat—April 23-25, 2021 Pilgrim Park UCC Camp, Princeton, IL
Marsha Hinthorn and Ruth Trower will introduce you to women of the Bible, their struggles, strength, and
journey.
Pilgrim Park follows the CDC and Illinois guidelines. Masks are required, and there is plenty of room for so-
cial distancing. We will be housed in the Conference Center that has a large gathering area. There are also
two decks that we can use if weather permits, and the grounds are beautiful and spacious.
You will have free time to take a walk, take a nap, learn Swedish Weaving, read, and an optional trip to our
favorite Hornbaker Nursery.
This year we can only do a single room or two to a room (double). The cost is $118.00 each for a single or
double room. This includes two box lunches. Right now, they are not providing breakfast for Saturday or
Sunday. Retreat organizers will take care of dinner on Friday night and breakfast.
We know that everything is different at this time in our lives. We will take every precaution to provide a safe
and comfortable weekend. Please prayerfully consider joining in for a weekend of fellowship, relaxation,
and fun!
If you would like to join us for this Spring Retreat or have questions, please contact Karlene Bledsoe at
[email protected] or call 309-212-8802. The deadline for registration is April 18th.
Page 3 New Directions
Given by In memory of
Linda Weirman Gary Weirman
Dottie Metcalf Ken Metcalf
C.J. Wahmann Maynard & Laura Smith, my parents
Ed Gottschalk and Jon, Susan,
& David Herman
Paul & Martha Gottschalk, father & mother; Rev.
Delbert & Ieda Herman, father & mother; Steven
Gottschalk, brother
Scott Luna Family Sue Hall
Lisa, Anna, & Emma DeBruine Jeff DeBruine
The Potts Girls, Gavin Byrd, & Becky Blum Bob & Earlene Potts, Katie Byrd
Glenn & Sharon Stille Walter & Clara Stille
Karin Hunt My husband Ray
Amie & Joel Keeton Our grandparents
Brian & Darlene Trower Vernon & Mare Jane Trower
Dede Verplaetse Selma & Arthur Feicke; Dee McClure
Given by In celebration of
Muriel Gifford Our new great grandchild, Renan Jace Gifford
Given by In memory of
James & Charlene Munro Albert & Sharon Beringer; Richard & Lorna Munro;
Evelyne Thomas
Ruth Trower Mary Jane & Vernon Trower
Lin Walton Mike Walton
Mike & Ginny Kolze Delcie Kight
Dave & Sandy Colee Cal & Irma Bostian; Carl & Doris Ray
Sylvia Kruger The Ladies of the Home Bible Study Group
Dede Verplaetse Jerry Day
Given by In celebration of
Brian & Darlene Trower Vivian Odorizzi
Pastor Andy & Sandra Gifford Our family
Given by
Dan & Ann Austin
Donations and extra money
raised from the purchase of
Easter lilies will go to support:
Page 4 April 2021
Contact us! Rev. Dr. Andrew Gifford
Pastor
Katie Verplaetse
Office Manager
Website
www.stlukeunion.org
Like our Facebook page for daily updates on church news, events, & Reginald’s whereabouts! Sunday Wor-ship will go Facebook LIVE at 10:30a!
www.facebook.com/
stlukeunionchurch
YouTube
Search: St Luke Union
Church
Sunday Worship will be posted Monday by noon.
Church Office Hours
Monday: 9a-3p
Tuesday: 9a-3p
Wednesday: 9a-3p
Thursday: 9a-3p
Friday & Saturday: closed
Worship
Online + In-Person
Sunday: 10:30a
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Sue Boerner—1st
Debbie Harrison—1st
Joel Keeton—1st
Emily Desmond—2nd
Pierre Roussey—2nd
Delmar Small—12th
Brian Trower—12th
Lillie Keeton—14th
Caiden Dehner—16th
Emma DeBruine—17th
Cameron Luna—18th
Lisa DeBruine—19th
Dan Moret—19th
Jayme Sellberg—20th
Norma Scott—22nd
Scott Luna—24th
Elijah Rambo—25th
Lauren Desmond—26th
Sylvia Kruger—27th
Carol Parlette—28th
Ellie Dehner—29th
Financial Corner
Receipts are higher than budgeted because several members gave a year’s
worth of giving in January. Thank you for everyone’s continued generosity to-
ward supporting the ministry and mission of St. Luke Union Church! Offerings
are taken in person through the church office or mail slot on the north side of
the building or via PayPal; the PayPal link is available on the home page on the
website. Thank you, again!
$63,958
$38,696 $38,421 $64,380
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
Michael & Virginia Kolze—16th
Isaiah 48:16 Come near to Me, listen to this: From the first I have not spoken in secret, from the time it took place, I was there. And now the Lord God has sent Me, and His Spirit.
Page 5 New Directions
I have, on occasion, been asked by people, "What is it like to be a pastor? What type of things fill your days? and What do you consider the most reward-ing?" Being a pastor is an opportunity to serve in a vo-cation that allows my passion for God to thrive. In other words, I love being a pastor. My days are always filled with reading, studying, and writing, but also administra-tion duties, building maintenance, and dealing with ran-dom church happenings. The one aspect of my day that I enjoy greatly is when I am serving and being with people. These times can be as simple as sharing a cup of coffee or having lunch or as difficult as walking along with someone in the fragility of life. In my years of ministry, I have discovered that I am the pastor of St Luke Union Church, but I am not the church. The buck does not begin with and stop with me, and I am not the only one the Holy Spirit speaks. Of the 200 plus people who call St Luke Union home, each has a relationship with God that is unique and spirit-filled. I know this because people come to me regularly and discuss how God is touching and pulling at their hearts. As a pastor, I have realized one of my biggest responsibilities is to help foster and guide people to embrace the Holy Spir-its' call upon their lives. My question today is, how is the Holy Spirit speaking to you, calling you, and lead-ing you to some form of action? In 2020 the federal government offered money to small businesses in the form of the Paycheck Protection Program or PPP. St Luke Union Church applied for and received money from this loan opportunity. The amount loaned was equal to 2 1/2 months of church salary and has since been converted from a loan to a grant. (We don't have to pay it back) The church council (VMC) has begun to look for ways to use this money to fulfill the church's greater mission. Knowing the Holy Spirit speaks to each of your hearts, calling of you to do something to build the king-dom of God. These calls are both large and small. If money was not the one factor to keep you from answer-ing God's call, to fulfill God's mission, what would you do? How can this windfall be used to achieve the mis-
sion the congregation of St Luke Union Church has been given? The Recycling Program and the Necessities Min-istry are two such missions that began at St Luke Union Church when the Holy Spirit spoke to and touched someone's heart. What is the next God-centered mission we are being called? When talking to my pastor friends and hear how the congregations they serve are going about ministerial practices, I have realized many are simply in survival mode. Not knowing how long they will be a church, what would happen if their pastor left, and if they will ever see a visitor enter through the door. This is not St Luke Union Church. We are an active, caring church proclaiming the Word of God, not looking to survive but rather to thrive. We seek to know God, be transformed by the Holy Spirit, and practice our faith through our lives, all with the understanding of God's grace. God has blessed us with the means; how will we now fulfill that mission? If you have any missional ideas that have been placed in your hearts, please let the VMC and myself know, and let us see how we can work together to build the kingdom of God. Blessings Pastor Andy
TRIVIA:
1. What color were the very first Easter eggs?
2. Who wrapped Jesus in cloth and prepared
him for burial?
1. Red 2. Joseph of Arimathea
Page 6 New Directions